An awful smell! - Page 1

 Hi everyone, 

I'm a new poster (but I've been reading this forum for many years) and I was hoping some of you may be able to offer some insight on a problem that I'm having. I have 2 (altered) German Shepherds and man-oh-man do they ever smell! They're inside dogs and have free run of the house. No room is off limits and we often allow them to snuggle in bed with us. They do have crates, but we rarely use them. They're in them for MAYBE 1-2 hours a day, except for when we leave the house or have guests who feel uncomfortable around them(then it's a bit longer). They are very well house-trained and never have accidents in their "boxes". Even still; The crates smell like arse!!  If I had to describe it, I would say it smells like really stinky shoes/feet and body odor. The smell is foul and is spreading through my house like wild fire. Incense, candles and febreeze does not make the slightest difference. I wash their bedding a couple times a month, but just as soon as I wash it...it stinks again! A friend suggested pouring a 1/4 box of baking soda under their bedding......I'm not so sure I like this idea, what are your thoughts on it? Any input/tips is GREATLY appreciated. I keep a clean house, but it smells like a dump and it's really embarrassing! 

Another stinky issue I'm having is with their outdoor kennel. We have a very small run (10x10) where they pee and pooh. I clean it out every 3rd day so they don't track anything through the house and yet it smells like a cess pool. It seriously smells as if it has NEVER been cleaned. When the wind blows, the stink is enough to knock you off of your feet. I would like to be able to enjoy my summer outside, instead of gagging whenever I walk out the door. I don't want the neighbors to start complaining and I've no doubt they will (I would!). Is their any products, or bedding I can use to help alleviate the smell? Would wood chips, or gravel help?

Both dogs are healthy and regularly vetted, though they have yet to have their annual visit this year. They eat high quality kibble and have raw bones once a week. Poops are normal too.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Hi and welcome!  What brand of dog food do you feed?  My one smelt really awful on Performatrin.  Just nasty.

"it smells like really stinky shoes/feet and body odor"

1) I would have them checked for yeast with your up coming vet visit.
2) Clean the poo every day. My daughter asked me "why do you pick up poo every day?" I said to her... "Do you flush everytime you go to the restroom?"
3) Try bathing every week, 3 weeks in a row with a product called Pure-Castille Soap, make sure to get the kind made for babies, it will clean them very well.
Good luck, and keep us updated.

"Do you flush everytime you go to the restroom?"


If I asked my son my son that, the answer would be no.  He's too afraid too. 

- His nickname is banana boy.

Sorry, too much information, I know.  Great post!

Walking them instead of using just the kennel for potty breaks may help.  Urine will soak into the ground and no matter how often you clean it, it will stink.  I would also poop scoop daily, as a matter of fact, I scoop on the spot, every time.  Another suggestion would be to treat the soil periodically with garden grade lime.  Inside smells are something I don't have a problem with so can't advise on that one, but would think baking soda couldn't hurt. 

 Thanks for the tips Rugers Guru!

Do you have any idea how they test yeast levels in dogs and what could contribute to an overabundance of yeast?
We've planned their annual for June, they'll be getting a basic blood panel done, heart-worm tested, fecal, urinalysis and one of them will be getting a dental. 

Any specific brand of Castille soap I should be looking for?

I guess I'll have to get off my butt and clean the pooh everyday, it shouldn't be that difficult if I do it at night or early morning. Do you(or anyone else) know of anything that will reduce the smell so that I can have a "fresh start", so-to-speak? 

Thank you for the welcome Red Sable! I feed one of my dogs Orijen adult maintenance and the other Acana Grasslands.

It's odd, because they themselves are not smelly, but their bedding is just atrocious.

Haha, sorry for all of the questions!

 Is lime safe to use around dogs? 

(that's probably a stupid question, but I've little shame in my inexperience)

Well, Yeast is everywhere.... Some dogs (like my boy) have excess yeast naturally, they can do a scrape for testing. It is unfortunate and is VERY hard to manage. I know 4pack is having the exact same problem with getting rid of it, and she has gone the same direction I have without success. I receintly added mineral oil to his water, and have been bathing him with Certified Fair Trade,  Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap for babies often. I also am going to be making my own yogurt thanks to VomMarshal, and yogurt has been the one thing that I can count on with breakouts. I feed it to him every day and it WORKS! Hope all the advice helps. Keep us posted on improvement.



I love the "BANANA BOY!!"
Funny he is afraid of the toilet flush!! Way too cute!

I have had good luck using cedar chips in kennels & bedding. I suggest cleaning the kennels(ouside & in) plus any bedding, then spread the cedar chips in a thin layer all over the outdoor kennel ground. I also put the cedar chips in any dog beds I have. I put them in a small pillow case & the stuff that inside or under the dog bedding.
One other thing to check it keep their feet clean. They may be dragging the "kennel" smell inside with them.
I use lime periodically in my outdoor kennels. I spread it in a thin layer & let is sit for about 24 hrs, then soak it down with the hose & let it sit for another 24 hrs(till dry). I DO NOT let the dogs use those kennels during this time. I have never had a problem or had a dog have a bad reaction to this. It helps keep the smell & flies away.
Good luck :)